I think 2018 has to be my worst in business yet first of all the beast from the east then my veg growers pulling the plug so I had to take over the veg growing myself again which was by a long way the worst decision ive ever made its crippled me this year and cost me dearly financially Then just to put another twist on things we had the biggest heatwave for 42 years To say this year has not been at all easy would be a massive understatement Oh and then the final final twist for 2018 I was told I had to leave the greenhouses I use back In July they actually wanted me out in a week But I said that was impossible.
I must admit I was worried for next year But I need not have been all through my life when ive needed it the right thing has come long, Ideally I wanted to be up closer to Bristol and Bath and wanted to find somewhere that I could also have the general public in to buy as well to help my cash flow through year’ So I’ve been driving round the area with a friend who knew the area over the last few weeks to try and find somewhere I had a couple of possible leads but they came to nothing.
But a couple of weeks ago at the 2nd garden centre we visited the owner said try next door they have a load of polytunnels and they haven’t grown plants for years, So we went next door and asked and he offered me a big double polytunnel approx 90 feet by 54 feet giving me over 4700 square feet of growing space nearly three times more than I currently have and the option of a second one the same size if I want it down the line and also hard standing area outside I can use and the Polytunnel has heating (if it works OK) and overhead irrigation. The site consists of lots of small units and businesses such as a farm shop which I will sell my plants through, A cider barn, various market stalls and second hand stalls, A chilli grower and another small family of growers growing flowers, And a Beauty Therapist as well as A second hand bookshop There is also and independant cafe on site
So I will be moving the nursery up there over winter so I’m all settled in and ready to start sowing for the new season, And I am making a completely new start with this new venture its time to put the past troubles behind me and start a fresh Firstly once the current Autumn Veg season is over I will no longer be doing the Veg by mail order although I may grow some veg to sell directly on site
But my main focus will be the mail order Tomatoes and the other items on the Tomato website for the Period March to July my total focus will be the mail order Tomatoes and anything else will only be done if there is time in the day that im not do anything for the Tomato orders But if I can boost the income on site then that will allow more staff and then I will be able to do more of other items
As you can see below a nice big growing space I have both sides all the stuff in the left side will be gone shortly ready for me too move in
